Scotland Office

Scotland Act - Commencement

Lord Dunlop: My Right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:In March this year, Her Majesty the Queen gave Royal Assent to the Scotland Act 2016, marking an important milestone in fulfilling the UK Government’s commitment to make the Scottish Parliament one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.On 23 May, two months since Royal Assent, a number of important provisions in the Act came into force. These included new powers in relation to consumer advocacy and advice, gaming machines, equalities and transport, and marked an important milestone in the devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government.The Joint Ministerial Working Group on Welfare met in June to take forward discussions on commencement of the welfare sections of the Act. This was the first meeting of the Group since the Scotland Act 2016 gained Royal Assent and since the new Scottish Parliament was elected. The UK and Scottish Governments both agreed an approach to commencing the welfare and employment support powers set out in the Act. This approach included bringing into force eleven welfare sections of the Scotland Act 2016.I can today inform the House that, with the agreement of the Scottish Government, we will now commence the following sections of the Scotland Act 2016:Section number: section title24: Discretionary payments: top-ups of reserved benefits25: Discretionary Housing Payments26: Discretionary payments and assistance28: Powers to create other new benefits;29: Universal credit: costs of claimants who rent accommodation30: Universal credit: persons to whom, and time when, paid31: Employment support32: Functions exercisable within devolved competence33: Social Security Advisory Committee and Industrial Injuries Advisory Council34: Information-sharing35: Extension of unauthorised disclosure offenceCommencing these powers brings into force substantial new levers which will allow the Scottish Government to design a welfare system tailored to local needs, while maintaining our social union and the benefits of being part of the United Kingdom. For example, these regulations bring into force the power for the Scottish Parliament to create their own new benefits in any area of devolved responsibility.The UK and Scottish Governments have been working together constructively to enable this and will continue to do so. We recognise the importance of ensuring the safe and secure transition of powers. Work is continuing on the remaining welfare sections of the Act and both Governments are committed to reaching an agreed approach on how they should be commenced. A further meeting of the Joint Ministerial Group on Welfare is expected to take place in the autumn.I am pleased that the commencement regulations also include Section 65 of the Scotland Act which enables Scottish Ministers to appoint a member to the Ofcom Board. The section also requires Scottish Ministers to lay Ofcom’s annual report and accounts before the Scottish Parliament and underlines my commitment to implementing the Scotland Act 2016 and the Smith Commission Agreement.The commencement regulations I have made today represent another milestone in making the Scottish Parliament one of the most powerful devolved parliaments in the world.

HM Treasury

ECOFIN: 17 June 2016

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: My honourable friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (David Gauke) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council took place in Luxembourg on 17 June 2016. EU Finance Ministers discussed the following items: Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive The Council reached political agreement to the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive. Financial Transaction TaxA brief update was provided on the progress regarding implementing a Financial Transaction Tax in participating Member States. The UK is not taking part in the Financial Transaction Tax. Strengthening the Banking UnionCouncil conclusions were agreed on measures to strengthen the Banking Union. Current Legislative ProposalsThe Presidency updated the Council on the state of play regarding a number of financial services dossiers. State of play of the Banking UnionBelgium provided an update on its transposition of the Bank Resolution and Recovery Directive and the Deposit Guarantee Scheme Directive as the only remaining Member State yet to complete this. Analysis by the Commission on temporary VAT derogations (reverse charge mechanism)The Commission agreed to bring forward a legislative proposal to allow certain Member States to apply a generalised reversal of liability for VAT payments. Implementation of the Stability and Growth PactThe Council endorsed decisions to close the Excessive Deficit Procedures for Cyprus, Ireland and Slovenia. Report of the European Court of Auditors on the Excessive Deficit Procedure The Council adopted conclusions on a report of the European Court of Auditors regarding the Excessive Deficit Procedure. This item moved to an ‘A’ point with no discussion. Contribution to the European Council meeting on 28-29 June 2016The Council prepared a number of items ahead of June European Council. Specifically, Ministers endorsed the 2016 Country Specific Recommendations, part of the European Semester process.Following this, views were exchanged on a number of issues including economic and fiscal governance and the investment plan for Europe. The item on National Productivity Boards moved to an ‘A’ point with no discussion.  


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Department of Health

Infected Blood Payment Scheme: Publication of Consultation Response and decisions for a reformed scheme

Lord Prior of Brampton: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Jane Ellison MP) has made the following Written Statement:On 21 January 2016 the Government launched its consultation on reform of the current ex-gratia payment schemes for individuals infected with HIV and/or hepatitis C following treatment with NHS-supplied blood or blood products before September 1991. It sought views particularly from the beneficiaries of the current schemes and their clinicians but the consultation was open to all to respond. The full analysis of the responses, the detail of the final decisions for the new scheme and an overview of the transition arrangements are set out in the Government’s formal consultation response published today.The response is attached and can be found on the Department of Health’s website at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/infected-blood-reform-of-financial-and-other-support. The Impact Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment will be published on the same website before summer recess.The Government recognises the suffering experienced by people as a result of this tragedy and the Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the Government in March 2015. Since 1988, successive Governments have set up five schemes to provide financial and other support to those affected. This Government committed further funding of up to £100m (in January 2016) on top of the additional £25m pledged by the Prime Minister in March 2015 and the existing baseline budget. This additional money will more than double the Department of Health’s annual spend on the scheme over the Spending Review period. This is significantly more than any previous Government has provided for those affected by this tragedy.Over the years, there has been criticism from different groups of beneficiaries and their representatives about the way that the current system has been set up and operates. It was clear from this criticism that a more accessible and equitable system of care and support was needed.In making its decisions for the new scheme, the Government has taken full account of the 1,557 formal responses to the consultation and considered other feedback such as backbench debates on the issue, 21 Parliamentary Questions and 69 individual pieces of correspondence related to the consultation. The detailed description of the reformed scheme is contained in the consultation response document published today.The key principles for the reformed scheme are that support will be simple, equitable and responsive to individuals’ circumstances, and available resource will be focused on those whose health is most affected.Specifically, the key aspects for the reformed scheme will be:All infected individuals will now receive an annual payment. These annual payments will be linked to the consumer price index (CPI) and include the £500 winter fuel payments as a standard payment without the need to apply for it:- Those infected with hepatitis C at stage 1 will receive a new flat rate annual payment of £3,500 (rising to £4,500 from 2018/19) that is not linked to an individual assessment, as was proposed in the consultation – this will be the first time ongoing financial support will be provided for approximately 2,500 stage 1 beneficiaries.- Those with hepatitis C at stage 2 or those with HIV will see their annual payments increase to £15,500 (rising to £18,500 from 2018/19).- Those co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C at stage 1, will receive £18,500 (rising to £22,500 from 2018/19)- For those co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C at stage 2, will receive £30,500 (rising to £36,500 from 2018/19)Discretionary support will not only continue but will be enhanced from 2018/19A new special appeals mechanism for those at hepatitis C stage 1 who consider that the impact of their infection on their health may mean they could qualify for stage 2 payments will be introduced from 2017/18Continuation of a £50k lump sum payment for those infected with hepatitis C stage 1 who progress to stage 2In addition, partners/spouses at the time of death of a primary beneficiary will be entitled to a £10,000 one-off lump sum where the HIV/hepatitis C infection contributed to the death of their partner/spouse. This will apply to those already bereaved and newly bereaved.All elements of the published reform package apply to the current spending review period of FY 2016/17 to FY 2020/2021, during which a review of the scheme will be undertaken. This review will particularly take account of the numbers being treated for Hepatitis C and the implications for the future operation of the scheme.All payments will continue to be ex-gratia, which means they are funded voluntarily by Government. These payments will also continue to be additional to any other income a person may receive, and are disregarded for the purposes of calculating income tax and eligibility for other state benefits.Increased annual payments and new annual payments will take effect this year and be backdated to April 2016. Lump sum payments for bereaved spouses/partners will also be implemented this year. Arrangements for a single new scheme administrator will be progressed in the current financial year and become operational in 2017/18.The proposals for scheme reform described in the consultation document are for beneficiaries infected in England. Information gathered through the consultation has been shared with the health departments in the devolved administrations and we will continue to work closely with them.



Consultation Response
(PDF Document, 544.58 KB)





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Home Office

Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures (1 March 2016 to 31 May 2016)

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: My rt hon Friend the Minister of State for Security (John Hayes) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement:Section 19(1) of the Terrorism Prevention and Investigation Measures Act 2011 (the Act) requires the Secretary of State to report to Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of every relevant three-month period on the exercise of her TPIM powers under the Act during that period.The level of information provided will always be subject to slight variations based on operational advice. TPIM notices in force (as of 31 May 2016)1TPIM notices in respect of British citizens (as of 31 May 2016)1TPIM notices extended (during the reporting period)1TPIM notices revoked (during the reporting period)1TPIM notices revived (during the reporting period)0Variations made to measures specified in TPIM notices (during the reporting period)0Applications to vary measures specified in TPIM notices refused (during thereporting period)0The number of current subjects relocated under TPIM legislation (as of 31May 2016)1 The TPIM Review Group (TRG) keeps every TPIM notice under regular and formal review. The TRG met on 22 and 23 March 2016 and 7 June 2016. The next TRG meetings will take place in September 2016. 


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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Foreign Affairs Council (18 July)

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Anelay of St Johns) (Con): My Right Honourable Friend, Minister for Europe (David Lidington), has made the following written Ministerial statement: The Foreign Affairs Council will be chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. The meeting will be held in Brussels. Foreign Affairs Council The agenda for the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) is expected to include Latin America, China, and external migration. Ms Mogherini is expected to raise in her introductory remarks a number of topics, including: climate diplomacy; Security Sector Reform and Capacity Building for Security and Development; the Quartet Report on the Middle East Peace Process; Afghanistan Ministerial Conference; and an EU External Action Service Iraq options paper. Ministers will have an informal discussion on the EU Global Strategy over lunch. Latin America On Cuba, discussions will focus on a new EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement. Ministers will also discuss preparations for the EU-Community of Latin America and Caribbean states (CELAC) Ministerial Summit, which will take place in the Dominican Republic in October. Council conclusions are expected on Venezuela. China The High Representative will update Ministers on the outcomes of the recent EU-China Summit, which she attended in Beijing on 13 July with Presidents Tusk and Junker. This was the first such meeting following the publication of the new EU-China Strategy in June 2016. Migration Ministers will discuss the June European Council conclusions on the Commission Communication on establishing a new Partnership Framework with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration. We remain committed to helping tackle irregular migration flows to Europe and support the broad thrust of the proposed partnerships – improving coordination between the activities of EU institutions and Member States in targeted source and transit countries and making better use of all available tools. We also expect an exchange of views on priorities for the UNGA High Level Event on Large Movements of Migrants and Refugees which provides an opportunity for the international community to build a sustainable global response to large population movements and the issue of irregular migration.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

June Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: My Right Hon Friend the Secretary of State (Elizabeth Truss) has today made the following statement.My Noble friend, the Lords Spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Gardiner), represented the UK at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 27-28 June in Luxembourg.Commissioner Hogan made a short presentation with an overview of the various agricultural commodity markets and summarised all the support measures already in place to support farmers. The Commissioner urged those Member States yet to declare their expenditure from the September package, to make full use of it. The UK distributed its share of targeted aid in December 2015 to help producers with their immediate cash-flow. The Commissioner concluded by confirming that he will bring forward a new package of measures at the July Council which was supported by a number of Member States, most notably Germany, France and Poland.The Chair of the Agricultural Markets Taskforce (AMT), Cees Veerman, presented the Council with an update on the proposals being prepared for autumn 2016. The AMT is focussing on helping producers manage price volatility by identifying new structural measures.The Presidency explained that their compromise text on Sustainable management of external fishing fleets, now took account of Member State requests to simplify the management systems and ensure consistency with the Control Regulation. Commissioner Vella presented his policy orientation for the setting of fishing opportunities in 2017. He noted the good progress made in many seas and stocks, for example cod and plaice in the North Sea, but also the continuing problems in the Mediterranean. The UK argued that exceptions to reaching Maximum Sustainable Yield targets would need to be made in some cases in order to avoid clashes with other objectives of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy. Other MS, including the UK, pointed to the difficulties inherent in implementing the landing obligation, which will see an end to the wasteful practice of discarding of dead fish at sea.  Any other business items The Commission updated the Council on the various initiatives which were tackling the serious state of the Mediterranean's fish stocks.Finland called on the Commission to resolve an issue connected with an oversight in the Common Provisions’ Regulation.Council conclusions for FLEGT were adopted.The Presidency announced the final report of the expert group on sustainable plant protection.Commissioner Andriukaitis presented the recent Commission Communication on endocrine disruptors.


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